Our People > Sergey Kwan

Sergey Kwan

Journalist

Sergey Kwan has worked for The Times of Central Asia as a journalist, translator and editor since its foundation in March 1999. Prior to this, from 1996-1997, he worked as a translator at The Kyrgyzstan Chronicle, and from 1997-1999, as a translator at The Central Asian Post.
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Kwan studied at the Bishkek Polytechnic Institute from 1990-1994, before completing his training in print journalism in Denmark.

Articles

Hydrometeorology

Kazakhstan Launches High-Resolution Weather Forecast Powered by Supercomputer

Kazakhstan has introduced a new high-resolution digital weather forecasting system powered by the country’s most powerful supercomputer, marking a significant step toward strengthening national hydrometeorological security. The National Hydrometeorological Service, Kazhydromet, has deployed the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model across the entire territory of the country. The system provides forecasts with a spatial resolution of 2 kilometers, significantly enhancing the accuracy and detail of weather predictions. All computations are carried out on Central Asia’s most powerful supercomputer at the Farabi Supercomputer Center, located at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty. According to Amirkhan Temirbayev, Director of the Farabi Supercomputer Center, the new model strengthens Kazakhstan’s ability to anticipate hazardous natural phenomena and respond more effectively to climate-related risks. “The new system improves early warnings of dangerous weather events, particularly in the mountainous regions of Almaty and southeastern Kazakhstan and enhances the country’s hydrometeorological security. Accurately modeling atmospheric processes requires millions of calculations that conventional servers cannot handle. A supercomputer is no longer just a scientific instrument, it is infrastructure of national importance,” Temirbayev said. He added that the initiative demonstrates how university-based high-performance computing resources are increasingly being used to address applied government needs. While the supercomputer is currently dedicated to weather forecasting, potential future applications include flood and mudflow modeling, climate analysis, air quality monitoring, and digital urban simulations. Kazhydromet plans to publish outputs from the new WRF model on its official website, where users will have access to interactive weather maps and detailed forecasts for all regions of Kazakhstan.

3 hours ago

Driver's licenses

Kyrgyzstan to Introduce One-Year Temporary Licenses for New Drivers

Kyrgyzstan plans to introduce a one-year temporary driver’s license for driving school graduates in an effort to ensure that new motorists develop sustainable skills for safe and responsible behavior on the road, according to a draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan currently undergoing public discussion. The training period at driving schools in Kyrgyzstan has recently been extended from 2.5 months to 10 months. Under the proposed resolution, students demonstrating excellent academic performance would be eligible to take exams after four months of training and receive a temporary driver’s license valid for one year and restricted to use within the country. According to the draft’s explanatory note, a temporary license would allow new drivers to assess their practical skills under real road conditions. If, during the one-year period, they do not commit serious traffic violations or cause traffic accidents, they would be issued a permanent driver’s license. If a driver holding a temporary license commits serious traffic violations or is found responsible for an accident within one year, the temporary license would be annulled, and the driver would be required to return to driving school to complete the remaining six months of the standard training program. The initiative is intended to improve discipline among new drivers and help reduce road accidents. The proposed measure is part of a broader set of reforms aimed at strengthening driver education and lowering accident rates. In a related move, Kyrgyz authorities have suspended all private driving schools until August 30, 2026. During this period, driver training will be limited to state-run institutions. The length of training has also been extended from 2.5 months to 10 months. Officials say the reforms are designed to eliminate corruption and ensure that drivers are properly prepared before receiving licenses. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan has introduced stricter traffic enforcement measures aimed at curbing repeat violations and improving road safety. Under the new rules, drivers who commit three serious traffic violations within a 12-month period are required to retake the traffic rules examination. The reform follows concerning national road safety data. In 2025 alone, Kyrgyzstan recorded 8,456 traffic accidents, resulting in 900 deaths and 12,169 injuries. Over the past decade, more than 75,000 accidents have claimed over 9,000 lives.

1 day ago

Quantum Technologies

Kazakhstan-Singapore Center for Quantum Technologies Opens at Farabi University

The Kazakhstan-Singapore Center for Quantum Technologies has been inaugurated at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty. The project, implemented in partnership with Singapore-based ASTRASEC PTE. LTD and Qubitera LLP, aims to serve as a foundation for developing a national quantum technology ecosystem in Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the center will focus on both fundamental and applied research, the training of researchers, engineers, and technology entrepreneurs, and the development of quantum-secure communication and computing solutions. It also plans to facilitate the transfer of advanced international expertise and support the creation of joint technology startups. The first phase of the project includes the launch of a laboratory dedicated to quantum cryptography and quantum communications. The facility is equipped with photonic systems and experimental infrastructure intended for research and specialist training. At the opening ceremony, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek said that the world is entering what he described as a “quantum revolution,” noting that traditional silicon-based digital and computing technologies are approaching their practical limits. He stated that the establishment of the center creates new opportunities for the development of Kazakhstan’s scientific and technological capacity. KazNU Rector and Chairman of the Board Zhanseit Tuimebayev emphasized the importance of integrating academia and industry, describing the center as part of the university’s strategy to transform into a research-oriented institution of international standing. He said cooperation with Singaporean partners would help combine academic expertise with advanced technological experience. Zhang Yinghua, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ASTRASEC PTE. LTD, described the development of quantum technologies as strategically important for national information security and digital resilience, highlighting quantum communication as a growing global priority. The inauguration concluded with a roundtable discussion focused on the center’s future development, quantum cybersecurity, industrial partnerships, and intellectual property protection for joint projects.

2 days ago

Trade

Kyrgyzstan Ready to Act as a ‘Gateway’ for Tajik Goods to EAEU and EU Markets

On February 13 in Bishkek, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev and Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda held the first meeting of the Kyrgyz-Tajik Intergovernmental Council. Opening the session, Kasymaliev said that 2025 marked a historic milestone in bilateral relations, citing the completion of the delimitation process of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border. He described the agreement as “a decisive factor in strengthening security and stability not only in our countries but also in the entire region.” Addressing trade and economic cooperation, Kasymaliev stated that Kyrgyzstan is ready to expand supplies of meat and dairy products, clothing and textiles, coal, glass, and sugar to Tajikistan. According to official figures, bilateral trade turnover reached $36 million in 2025, representing a nearly 24-fold increase compared to 2024. Both sides have set a target of increasing annual trade to $500 million. In the field of transport and logistics, Kasymaliev emphasized the need to improve border infrastructure and enhance the efficiency of checkpoints. Proposed measures include modernizing existing border crossings, expanding capacity, developing logistics and cargo terminals, and introducing digital solutions in customs and border administration. “Kyrgyzstan is ready to act as a trade gateway for Tajik goods to the markets of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as well as the European Union through the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+),” Kasymaliev said. He also highlighted the strategic China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, which he said would significantly increase Kyrgyzstan’s transit potential and strengthen its role as a logistics hub in Eurasia. According to the Kyrgyz prime minister, the new transport corridor will create additional opportunities for Tajikistan. Kasymaliev further noted positive dynamics in tourism cooperation. In 2025, 86,000 tourists from Tajikistan visited Kyrgyzstan, a 12-fold increase compared to 2024. Kyrgyzstan reaffirmed its interest in developing joint tourism initiatives, including the possible introduction of a unified visa for third-country nationals traveling across Central Asia. Rasulzoda stated that Tajikistan places particular importance on good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, confirming readiness to further strengthen the partnership. As part of his visit to Bishkek, Rasulzoda toured a recently opened waste-to-energy plant constructed by a Chinese company. He described the facility as a promising example of modern waste recycling and expressed Tajikistan’s interest in implementing similar projects.

3 days ago

Tourism Development

Tourism Master Plan for Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor Updated with Green Focus

On February 12, Bishkek hosted a presentation of the green update to the tourism master plan for the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor (ABEC) between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, a document prepared with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The event brought together representatives of Kyrgyz government agencies, officials from the Issyk-Kul and Chui regions bordering Kazakhstan, as well as members of tourism associations and international development partners. The ABEC tourism master plan was initially approved in 2019. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the updated version emphasizes three key areas. The first is green tourism, including the development of eco-tourism routes, sustainable accommodation facilities, hiking and cycling trails, and measures to reduce pressure on mountain ecosystems, lakes, and national parks. The second priority is sustainable development. This includes improving resource efficiency, introducing renewable energy sources, promoting green logistics, and reducing the carbon footprint of tourism-related activities. The third focus area is regional integration and connectivity. Planned measures include digitalizing border-crossing procedures, developing sustainable transport solutions, strengthening cross-border coordination, and creating more convenient tourist routes along the corridor. The updated master plan aims to attract investment and mobilize financial resources from the ADB, national governments, the private sector, and development partners to implement priority projects along the ABEC corridor. A central infrastructure component of the ABEC initiative is the proposed construction of an alternative highway linking Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, with Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s leading tourist destination. Lake Issyk-Kul remains a major attraction for visitors from across the region and is particularly popular among Almaty residents seeking weekend or summer trips. Although the two locations are separated by only about 80 kilometers in a straight line, mountain ranges make direct travel difficult. The existing route passes through Bishkek, extending the journey to more than 460 kilometers and turning what could be a short trip into an approximately eight-hour drive to Cholpon-Ata, the largest resort town on the lake’s northern shore. The Times of Central Asia previously reported on long-standing plans to establish a more direct road between Almaty and Issyk-Kul. In 2007, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed a memorandum of understanding for a route bypassing Bishkek, running through Uzynagash and Kemin and connecting directly to Cholpon-Ata. The project, however, stalled at an early stage. If completed, it would reduce the travel distance to approximately 260 kilometers and significantly shorten travel time. The project is currently at the stage of preparing a feasibility study.

6 days ago